Facilitating map navigation in an online game

ABSTRACT

A system and method for facilitating navigation of a map in an online game are disclosed. A navigation mode may be provided to enable user to navigate the map by specifying a type of map features of interest to the user. In such a navigation mode, the user may provide directional control input for navigating the map to a map feature having a map feature type associated with the navigation mode; and the field of view of the map may jump from the present field of view to a new field of view corresponding to the map feature. The map feature may be selected because it is closer to a current location where the present field of view is taken in the direction indicated by the control input provided by the user than any other map features having the map feature type.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to facilitating map navigation in an onlinegame, the map navigation being facilitated by determining a field ofview for presentation to a user based on map features of interest to theuser.

BACKGROUND

Systems that host virtual spaces are known. In some of those systems,maps of the virtual space may be presented to users for facilitatinguser interactions with the virtual space. The users of those systems aretypically enabled to navigate the maps by providing navigational inputs,such as mouse clicking or dragging for displaying portions of the mapson computers associated with the users. In response to the navigationalinputs provided by the users, those systems typically incrementally movethe views of the maps by “scrolling” some portions of the maps out ofthe displays and some other portions of the maps into the displays inaccordance with the navigation inputs. For example, in response to amouse click on a location of a visible portion of a given map beingpresented to the user on a display, those systems will “scroll” thegiven map to present that location of the map on the display. In thisway, those systems enable the users to navigate the maps of the virtualspace in a sliding manner.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to enabling a user to navigate amap of a virtual space in an online game such that the user may navigatethe map by jumping from a present field of view to a new field of viewof interest to the user. A navigation mode may be provided to enableuser to so navigate the map by specifying a type of map features forassociation with the navigation mode. In such a navigation mode, theuser may provide directional control input, such as a finger swipe orany other directional control input for navigating the map to a mapfeature having the map feature type associated with the navigation modeas specified by the user. Responsive to receiving such a directionalinput from the user, the field of view of the map may jump from thepresent field of view to a new field of view corresponding to a mapfeature having the map feature type. In some implementations, such a mapfeature may be selected for presentation to the user because it iscloser to a current location where the present field of view is taken onthe map in the direction indicated by the control input provided by theuser than any other map features having the map feature type. Incontrast to the conventional systems described above, this may enablethe user to quickly navigate to a feature on the map of interest to theuser without having to “scroll” the map. This may enhance userexperience with the online game as the user may be enabled to navigateto map features of interest by simply providing directional inputs.

A system configured for facilitating map navigation in an online gamemay include a server. The server may operate in a client/serverarchitecture with one or more client computing platforms. The clientcomputing platforms may be associated with the users of the virtualspace. The server may include a processor configured to execute computerreadable instructions to implement system components. The systemcomponents may include one or more of a map component, direction controlcomponent, navigation mode component, a field of view determinationcomponent, and/or other system components.

The map component may be configured to facilitate interaction of a userwith a map of a virtual space in an online game by generating a view ofthe map for presentation to the user. The map may show map featuresrepresenting locations of the virtual space in terms of their respectiveforms, shapes, sizes, surrounding conditions, topography, spatialrelationships, and/or other aspects associated with the map features. Insome examples, the map may show 2D or 3D concepts of such map featuresusing Cartesian coordinate system. Examples such map features mayinclude, but not limited to, towns, cities, castles, states, countries,nations, tribes, realms, kingdoms, rooms, regions, areas, planets, waterbodies, islands, stars, and/or any other types of locations in thevirtual space; resource cores in the virtual space; locations havingspecific terrain types in the virtual space; infrastructures, e.g.,roads, railroads, buildings, plantations, farms, watch towers, defensivetowers, defensive works such as trenches, mines, walls and/or any otherdefensive works; virtual space characters, objects, or itemscorresponding to specific locations on the map (e.g., troops in a battleground, virtual space characters in an area, virtual items available ata location); and/or any other types of map features that may be shown onthe map of virtual space.

The user interaction with the map as facilitated by the map componentmay include zooming in or out of portions of the map, viewinginformation regarding features shown on the map, moving field of view ofthe map for viewing different portions of the map, changing anorientation of the map, changing a viewing perspective of the map (e.g.,bird's eye view or side view), searching for features on the map,selecting feature density shown on the map, selecting 2D or 3D viewingof the map, initiating virtual space actions, interacting with otherusers in the virtual space, and/or any other user interactions with themap. For facilitating such user interaction with the map, the mapcomponent may generate a view of the map for presentation to the user onthe client computing platform. Such a view of the map may correspond toa portion of the map; and may include a zoom ratio, a feature densitylevel, a visibility, a dimensionality, a size and/or any otherparameters for adjusting the presentation of the features shown on theportion of the map, a point-of-view, an orientation, and/or other mapview parameters. Such a view of the map may be presented on clientcomputing platform such that the user may observe a portion of map thatfalls within a field of the view of the map.

The direction control component may be configured to receive controlinputs provided by the user, which may indicate a direction in which thefield of view of the map should be moved. The control inputs may beprovided by users using client computing platform and/or control devicescoupled to or associated with the client computing platform byperforming actions. The actions performed by the user for providing thedirectional control inputs through the client computing platform and/orcontrol devices may cause the client computing platform and/or controldevices to generate output signals. The direction control component mayanalyze such output signals for determinations of the control inputsprovided by the user. Such a determination may include a determinationof directions in which the field of view of the map should move asindicated by the control inputs provided by the user.

The navigation mode component may be configured to obtain selectionand/or entry of a navigation mode by the user for implementation as apresent navigation mode. The navigation mode obtained by the navigationmode component may correspond to a manner of map navigation, e.g.,changing the field of view of the map for presentation to the user. Thenavigation mode obtained by the navigation mode component may include afirst navigation mode. In the first navigation mode, the map may benavigated incrementally in response to directions indicated by thecontrol inputs provide by the user. The navigation mode obtained by thenavigation mode component may include a second navigation mode. Thesecond map navigation mode may be associated with a type of map featureson which the map navigation in the second navigation mode may be based.Unlike in the first navigation mode, in the second navigation mode, thenavigation of the map may not cause portions of the map between a firstlocation and a second location to be moved into the field of the viewcontinuously in a “scrolling” manner, but rather switch the field ofview of the map from the present field of view to a new field of view ina “jumping” manner instantly or near-instantly.

A given type of map features associated with the second navigation modemay be defined or specified by one or more map feature parameters, whichmay include, but not limited to, a location level threshold parameter, auser type parameter, a feature level threshold, a defense levelthreshold parameter, a size threshold parameter, a population thresholdparameter, a resource threshold parameter for defining the map featuretype, and/or any other map feature parameters. Such map featureparameters may be used to specify map features of interest to the user,which may include, but not limited to, cities, kingdoms, realms, towns,resource cores, rooms, fields, battle grounds, landmarks, planets,stars, oceanic locations and/or any other types of virtual spacelocations.

The location parameters may include a user type parameter that may beused to specify map features associated with a type of users of interestto the given user. The user type for such specification may include usertype by a relationship with respect to the given user. The locationparameters may include a feature level parameter for specifying the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode. The locationparameters may include threshold parameters for specifying the type ofmap features associated with the map. Such threshold parameters mayinclude a defense level threshold parameter, a size threshold parameter,a population threshold parameter, a resource threshold parameter, aproduction threshold parameter, a troop threshold parameter, and/or anyother threshold parameters for specifying the map feature typeassociated with the second navigation mode.

In some implementations, the navigation mode component may be configuredto facilitate users to provide the map feature type to be associatedwith the second navigation mode through a user interface implemented onthe client computing platform.

In some implementations, the navigation mode component may be configuredto determine a number of map feature parameters available to the userfor the user to specify the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode in the user interface. In some implementations, thenavigation mode component may be configured to facilitate an offer ofone or more feature parameters to the user in exchange for virtualconsideration in graphical user interface.

The field of view determination component may be configured to determinea field of view of the map for the user in response to a control inputprovided by the user indicating a direction in which the field of viewshould be moved. The determination of the present field of the view bythe field of view determination component may include a determination ofa new location where the present field of view should be taken on themap. The determination of such a new location may be based on thecurrent location where the present field of view is taken, the controlinput provided by the user, the navigation mode selected by the userand/or any other parameters. When the second navigation mode is selectedby the user, for determining the new field of view, the field of viewdetermination component may first compose a query for acquiring mapfeatures that are of interest to the user as indicated by the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode. Upon receivinga result set or results a query (e.g., from the virtual space locationdatabase), field of view determination component may be configured toparse the result set(s). The obtained result set(s) may includelocations shown as map features having the map feature type associatedwith the second navigation mode. In some implementations, the field ofview determination component may be configured to select a locationcorresponding to a first map feature shown on the map from the resultset(s). The field of view determination component may select the firstmap feature because the first map feature is closer to the currentlocation where the present field of view is taken in the directionindicated by the control input than any other map features included inthe result set(s), i.e., other map features having the map feature type.

In some implementations, the field of view determination component maybe configured to obtain a reference location from which the navigationof the map in the second navigation mode may be initiated. In someexemplary implementations, the field of view determination component maybe configured to determine a level of accuracy of the new location to bepresented in the present field of view in the second navigation mode. Insome exemplary implementations, the field of view determinationcomponent may be configured to exhaust an amount of resource in a user'sinventory for determination of present field of view in the secondnavigation mode.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a system for facilitating users toobtain information regarding locations within a virtual space inaccordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a view of a map of a virtual spaceimplemented by the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of control inputs provided by a userthrough finger swipe on a touch sensitive surface employed by the systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example a user interface for specifying a mapfeature type for association with the navigation mode.

FIG. 5 depicts one example of determining a new location on the mapwhere the present field of view should move to in response to a controlinput provided by the user in the second navigation mode.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of jumping the field of view while thesecond navigation mode is selected.

FIG. 7 illustrates one exemplary method for facilitating navigation of amap of a virtual space in accordance with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for facilitating users to navigate a mapof a virtual space in an online game in accordance with the discloser.Providing the virtual space may include hosting the virtual space over anetwork. In some implementations, system 100 may include a server 102.The server 102 may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms 104 according to a client/server architecture.

The users may access system 100 and/or the virtual space via clientcomputing platforms 104. The server 102 may comprise a processor 108configured to execute computer readable instructions to implement systemcomponents. The system components may include one or more of a mapcomponent 112, a direction control component 114, a navigation modecomponent 116, a field of view determination component 118, and/or othersystem components.

The map component 112 may be configured to facilitate interaction of auser with a map of a virtual space in an online game by generating aview of the map for presentation to the user. The online game mayprovide gameplays, which may include, without limitation, role-playing,first-person shooter, real-time strategy, turn-based strategy,simulation, music or rhythm playing, social interaction, twitchingand/or any other gameplays. The online game may facilitate the user toengage in such gameplays through simulating a virtual space representinga game world. The simulated virtual space may be accessible by the uservia clients (e.g., client computing platforms 104) that present theviews of the virtual space to the user. The simulated virtual space mayhave a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or moreusers, and/or include one or more objects positioned within thetopography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In someinstances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In otherinstances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein).

Within the virtual space provided by the online game, the user maycontrol virtual space locations to generate revenues, productions,resources, troops, culture, wonders, special units and/or any othertypes of output enabled by the virtual space locations controlled by theusers. The user controlled locations may include virtual space towns,cities, kingdoms, castles, villages, fortresses, land masses, resourcecores, and/or any other types of virtual space locations. Typically,through the controlling of such virtual locations, the users may growpopulations, construct infrastructures, conduct commerce, collect taxes,raise troops, train special units, train knights and/or any other usercharacters, research technologies, gain skills and/or abilities, and/orundertake any other actions, functions, deeds, sphere of actions asenabled by such virtual space locations. For example, a given user maycontrol multiple cities in the virtual space and the cities may generaterevenues to fund the given user activities within the virtual space; maygenerate troops for defending the cities or attacking other elements inthe virtual space; may generate growth in science through researchinstitutes established in those cities; may produce weapons througharsenals established in those cities; may generate production throughfactories established in those cities; may produce food through farms inthose cities and so on.

A given location controlled by the user, such as a city may beassociated with one or more aspects manifested in the virtual space.Such aspects about the given user controlled location may reflect astate of the location. Examples of such aspects may include a generalstatus associated with the location (e.g., beginner protection such thatother users may not attack a location with such a status, normal, trucesuch that other users may not attack a location with for a period and/orany other status), a defense level indicating defensive strength or anamount of damages that may be resisted by the given location, a numberof troops associated with the location (e.g., stationed in or around thelocation), types of the troops associated with the location, resourcesassociated with the location, food supply produced by the location,production by the location (e.g., an amount of production output by thelocation), terrain types associated with the location, one or morebuildings associated with the location (e.g., located within thelocation), and/or any other aspects that may be associated with thelocation.

Within the virtual space provided by the online game, the user maycontrol resource cores in the virtual space to acquire resourcesrequired for engaging in various activities or actions within thevirtual space. A resource core is a type of virtual space object thatmay provide the user specific raw materials, resources, currencies,substances, and/or any other virtual space elements at a rate, e.g., 100coals/second, 50 timber/turn, or any other rate. At a given time, aquantity of resources remaining in a resource core may be known in thevirtual space—for example, 100,000 coals left in a coal mine to be minedor 50,000 gold left in a gold mine to be collected, just forillustrations. Resource cores may be depleted due to harvesting actionsby users and in some examples may be destroyed in the virtual space. Insome examples new resource cores may be created to replace the destroyedones in the virtual space at times determined by the provider,administrator, moderator, and/or any other entities related to thevirtual space. Examples of resource cores may include mines, rivers,wells, oceans, swamp, mountains, forests, boxes, pets, plants, and/orany other virtual space locations or objects.

Within the virtual space provided by the online game, the user maycontrol characters to engage in battles. The battles engaged in by theuser may include battles against other players (e.g. PvP battles),against Al controlled entities, objects, and/or any other entities inthe environment of the virtual space (e.g., PvE battles), and/or anyother types of battles. To facilitate such battles, the online game mayenable the user to perform combat actions. The combat actions mayinclude real-time combat actions through which the users may direct userentities (e.g., avatars) to perform maneuvers in real or near-real time;may include turn-based combat actions through which the users may directuser entities (e.g., user character, troops and/or combat equipment) toinflict damages and/or resist damages; may include strategy combatactions through which the users may position the user entitiesstrategically in combats; and/or may include any other types of combatactions. A given battle in the virtual space may correspond to alocation in the virtual space where the given battle takes place. Asused herein, such a location is referred to as a “battle location”.

Within the virtual space provided by the online game, the user may beenabled to form various relationships with other users of the onlinegame. The relationships formed by the user may facilitate the user toengage in, without limitation, social, competitive, cooperation,collaboration, diplomatic, roleplaying and/or any other types ofinteractions with other users. Examples of such relationships mayinclude, but not limited to, alliance, collaboration, competition,cooperation, negotiation, team play, team development, trading, socialorganization, bluffing, and/or any other relationships. For example, theuser may form alliance relationships with other uses such that the useragrees to obey particular and specific alliance rules, conducts towardsthose users. For instance, the user may be enabled to transport troopsto cities controlled by alliance members for defending those cities; maybe enabled to transfer resources to alliances members via virtualstorage (e.g., a warehouse associated with the alliance); may be enabledto team up with alliance members to engage in battles against members ofalliance(s) opposing to the alliance the user belongs to; and/or anyother types actions enabled by virtue of the user's membership in thealliance.

For facilitating user interactions with virtual space, map showings mapfeatures representing locations of the virtual space in terms of theirrespective forms, shapes, sizes, surrounding conditions, topography,spatial relationships, and/or other aspects associated with the mapfeatures may be implemented and presented to the user on clientcomputing platform 104. In some examples, the map may show 2D or 3Dconcepts of such features using Cartesian coordinate system. Examplessuch features may include, but not limited to, towns, cities, castles,states, countries, nations, tribes, realms, kingdoms, rooms, regions,areas, planets, water bodies, stars, and/or any other types of locationsin the virtual space; resource cores in the virtual space; locationshaving specific terrain types in the virtual space (e.g., specificforests, mountains, lakes, deserts and/or any other terrain types);infrastructures (e.g., roads, railroads, buildings, plantations, farms,watch towers, defensive towers, defensive works such as trenches, mines,walls and/or any other defensive works); virtual space characters,objects, or items corresponding to specific locations on the map (e.g.,troops in a battle ground, user characters in an area, virtual itemsavailable at a location); and/or any other types of map features thatmay be shown on the map of virtual space. Such features shown on the mapmay be dense such that the map may show one or more features associatedwith individual locations in the virtual space; or may be sparse suchthat the map may show specific features associated with individuallocations in the virtual space.

The map of the virtual space may be continuous, segmented, or hybrid ofthe two. In a continuous map, the user may navigate from point to pointon the map continuously and/or may view any portions of the map bynavigation. In a segmented map, nodal structure may be established suchthat the user may not view only one portion (e.g., a node) of the map ata given stage. In some examples, the map of virtual space may be ahybrid of the two modes such that a given stage, a portion of thevirtual space map may be continuously presented the user.

In some implementations, the map of virtual space may be implementedusing grid squares (e.g., tiles). This is generally referred to as atile-based map system in the art. In such a system, features within thevirtual space, including characters, may occupy individual grid squareand in most cases are aligned on rigid X and Y axes that form the gridsquares. The grids underlying the map may be abstracted intolow-resolution grids (e.g. zoomed out view of the map) or magnified intohigh resolution grids (e.g., zoomed in view of the map).

In any case, the map component 112 may facilitate user interaction withthe map of the virtual space. This may include enabling the user to zoomin or out of portions of the map, to view information regarding featuresshown on the map, to move field of view of the map for viewing differentportions of the map (e.g., navigate the map), to change an orientationof the map, to change a viewing perspective of the map (e.g., bird's eyeview or side view), to search for features on the map, to select featuredensity shown on the map, to select 2D or 3D viewing of the map, toinitiate virtual space actions, to interact with other users in thevirtual space, and/or any other user interactions with the map.

For facilitating such interaction of the user with the map, the mapcomponent 112 may generate a view of the map for presentation to theuser on the client computing platform 104. Such a view of the map maycorrespond to a portion of the map; and may include a zoom ratio, afeature density level, a visibility, a dimensionality, a size, and/orany other feature parameters for adjusting the presentation of thefeatures shown on the portion of the map, a point-of-view, anorientation, and/or other map view parameters. Such a view of the mapmay be presented on client computing platform 104 so that the user mayobserve a portion of map that falls within a field of the view of themap. As used herein, the field of view of the map is referred to as theobservable portion of the map, e.g., as being presented on a display ofthe client computing platform 104. The field of view of the map may becharacterized by aspect ratio associated with the display (e.g. 16:9,4:3, 1:1 or any other aspect ratio), angle associated with the field ofview with respect to an imaginary axel through the virtual space (e.g.,100 degree), linearity associated with the field of view (e.g., 100 feetper 1000 yard), and/or any other field of view characterization.

As an illustration, FIG. 2 depicts an example of a view of a map of avirtual space implemented by the system shown in FIG. 1. It will bedescribed with references to FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the map200 of the virtual space may show various features, such as features202, 204 and 206 illustrated in this example. In this example, features202 represents user controlled cities and is depicted in triangularshape. It should be understood such depiction of features 202 in thisexamples is for illustration clarity such that they may be distinguishedfrom other types of features also shown on map 200 in this example. Asillustrated, the individual features 202 (e.g., user cities) aredepicted in different sizes to reflect a level associated with features202. Likewise, features 204 in this example represent various resourcecores (e.g., gold mines) within the virtual space and are depicted aspentagons. The size of a given feature 204 in this example reflects adeposit level associated with the given feature 204. It should beunderstood although only two types of features are shown on the map 200in this example, this is only for illustration clarity and thus notintended to be limiting. In some other examples, the map 200 may showmore types of features than those shown in FIG. 2. For example, the map200 may show infrastructures, objects, characters, buildings, troops,activities, and/or any other features within the virtual space.

In any case, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a field of view 206 of the map200 may be presented to the user on client computing platform 104. Asillustrated, the field of view 206 of the map may correspond to aportion of the map, which in turn corresponds to a location in thevirtual space (e.g., the 1^(st) location as shown in this example). Asshown, through the field of the view 206 of the map, the user may viewor interact with features (e.g., feature 202 corresponding to the 1^(st)location as shown in this example) shown in the field of view 206.

Returning to FIG. 1, the direction control component 114 may beconfigured to receive control inputs provided by the user. The controlinputs received by the direction control component 114 may indicate adirection in which the field of view of the map should be moved. Assuch, the direction indicated by the control inputs received thedirection control component 114 may indicate a general position (e.g.,such as a nadir or zenith in the virtual space) towards which thevirtual space may be navigated by the user. The direction indicated bythe control inputs received the direction control component 114 mayinclude a specific position from which the direction is determined. Forexample, a given direction indicated by the received control input mayindicate a northerly direction with respect to a reference virtual spacelocation such that

The control inputs may be provided by users using client computingplatform 104 and/or control devices coupled to or associated with theclient computing platform 104. For example, without limitation, the usermay provide such control inputs through actions enabled by a mousecoupled to client computing platform 104 (e.g., mouse click or drag), akeyboard of the client computing platform 104 (e.g., entry of keys),gamepads directional control buttons, pointing device, finger swipe on atouch sensitive surface coupled to the client computing platform 104,stylus for a touch sensitive surface, speakers associated with clientcomputing platform 104 for receiving voice control command, cameraassociated with client computing platform 104 for receiving gesturecommands and/or any other types of control devices. Examples of thetouch sensitive surface may include, but not limited to, a touch-enabledsmart phone display, a tablet display, a touch pad, a touch-enableddesktop display, a touch-enabled smart TV, and/or any other types oftouch sensitive surface.

In some implementations, the actions performed by the user for providingthe directional control inputs through such control devices may causethe control devices to generate output signals, which may be transmittedto server 102 for a determination of the control inputs corresponding tothe actions performed by the user. In those implementations, the outputsignals generated by a given control device may be characterized byvarious parameters, such as, but not limited to, mouse parameters,gesture parameters, voice control parameters, keyboard parameters, videoparameters, photo parameters and/or any other output signal parametersby the given control device. As an illustration, the mouse parametersmay include parameters that indicate the state of left/middle/rightbuttons of the mouse (e.g. pressed or released), a number of rotationsby the mouse wheel, a movement of mouse along an X direction associatedwith the mouse, a movement of mouse along a Y direction associated withthe mouse, and/or any other mouse parameters. As another illustration,the gesture parameters may include one or more directions, shapes,contact locations, a hold time, a sequence, and/or any other gestureparameters related to a gesture (e.g., finger swipe) made by the user ona touch sensitive surface.

Responsive to receiving such output signals generated by the controldevice, the direction control component 114 may analyze the receivedoutput signals for determinations the control inputs provided by theuser. Such a determination may include a determination of directions inwhich the field of view of the map should move as indicated by thecontrol inputs provided by the user. This may involve extracting thesignal parameters described above. The extracted signal parameters maybe compared with one or more predetermined control input definitions.The control input definitions may specify parameter values for one ormore parameters defined by the control input definitions. The one ormore parameters defined by the control input definitions may include adirection associated with the control input definition (e.g., left toright, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, diagonal and/or anyother directions). Such control input definitions may be stored on theclient computing platform 104, the electronic storage 110, the externalresources 106, and/or any other storage locations; and may be madeavailable for access for by the direction control component 114 via anysuitable wired or wireless connections.

Programing rules or logic may be configured into direction controlcomponent 114 for the analysis of the received output signals based onthe control input definitions. The analysis may include a comparisonbetween the control input definitions and the information conveyed bythe received output signals. Direction control component 114 may beconfigured to determine the parameter values for signal parameters of acurrent or previously performed action by the user through the controldevice. The determined parameter values may then be compared with theparameter values specified by the control input definition to determinewhether the current or previously performed action matches one of thecontrol input definitions. In some examples, such a comparison mayinclude a determination whether an output signal parameter has breacheda corresponding parameter value specified by a control input definition.For instance, in response to the received output signal parametersindicating that the user has swiped a finger across more than 5 adjacentpixels on a touch screen from left to right as specified a control inputdefinition for left to right finger swipe, the direction controlcomponent 114 may determine that the user has achieved the left to rightfinger swipe on the touch screen. Responsive to such a determination,direction control component 114 may determine a direction indicated bythe action performed by the user through the control device.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of control inputs provided by a userthrough finger swipe on a touch sensitive surface employed by the systemshown in FIG. 1. It will be described with references to FIGS. 1-2. Asshown, the user may perform an action 302, e.g., a gesture action inthis example in the field of view 206 shown in FIG. 2 on a touchsensitive surface included in client computing platform 104, e.g., atablet computer in this example. As illustrated, the gesture actionperformed by the user may indicate various directions depending on thestart and end positions of the gesture action performed by the user. Theuser may perform the action 302 to indicate the user would like to movethe field of view 206 of the map in those directions. As shown, theaction 302 may be transmitted to server 102 via output signals for adetermination of a control input provided by the user. As describedabove, responsive to receiving the action 302, the server 102 may, forexample via the direction control component 114 determine the controlinput provided by the user, which may include a determination of thedirection indicated by the action 302.

The navigation mode component 116 may be configured to obtain selectionand/or entry of a navigation mode by the user for implementation as apresent navigation mode. The navigation mode obtained by the navigationmode component 116 may correspond to a manner of map navigating, e.g.,changing the field of view of the map for presentation to the user. Theobtained navigation mode may be associated with one or more navigationparameters, such as, but not limited to, the speed of navigation (e.g.,quick navigation v.s. conventional navigation), specific types of mapfeatures to be shown, density level, display size, forms ofrepresentation (e.g. icon v.s. text), and/or any other aspects of themap features shown, a resolution of the map, and/or any other navigationparameters that may be associated with the navigation mode. In someimplementations, the navigation mode component 116 may be configured toreceive a presently selected navigation mode from a user interfaceimplemented and presented on client computing platform 104. In thoseimplementations, the user may select a navigation mode in such a userinterface (e.g., a user settings interface, a map setting interface, amap interface and/or any other types of interfaces)

The navigation mode obtained by the navigation mode component 116 mayinclude a first navigation mode. In the first navigation mode, the mapmay be navigated incrementally in response to directions indicated bythe control inputs provide by the user, such as the control inputsreceived by the direction control component 114. For example, a user mayprovide a control input via a mouse drag on a display coupled to theclient computing platform 104 associated with the user; and the controlinput provided by the user may indicate that the user would likenavigate the map in a left to right direction. In that example, whilethe first navigation mode is selected by the user as obtained by thenavigation mode component 116, the system 100 may “scroll” the field ofthe view of the map for presentation on the tablet computer 104 suchthat individual adjacent portions of the map may be moved into the fieldof the view continuously at the end of the control input (temporal)provided by the user.

The navigation mode in obtained by the navigation mode component 116 mayinclude a second navigation mode. The second map navigation mode may beassociated with a type of map features that the map navigation in thesecond navigation mode may be based on. That is, in response to acontrol input indicating a direction in which the map is to benavigated, the field of view of the map jumps, from a first map feature(e.g. a first location) on the map corresponding to the present field ofview, to a second map feature (e.g., a second location) on the mapcorresponding to a map feature having the map feature type associatedwith the second navigation mode. Unlike in the first navigation mode, inthe second navigation mode, such navigation of the map may not causeportions of the map between the first location and the second locationto be moved into the field of the view continuously in a “scrollingmanner”, but rather “jump” the field of view of the map from the presentfield of view to a new field of view instantly or near-instantly. Thismay enhance usability of the online game as a user may navigate to a newlocation on the map quickly without having the portions of the mapbetween the present location in the present field of view and the newlocation presented on client computing platform 104. This may enhanceuser experience in the online game as map features of interest to theuser may be quickly moved into the field of view for presentation to theuser in response to the control inputs provided by the user.

A given type of map features associated with the second navigation modemay be defined or specified by one or more map feature parameters, whichmay include, but not limited to, a location level threshold parameter, auser type parameter, a feature level threshold, a defense levelthreshold parameter, a size threshold parameter, a population thresholdparameter, a resource threshold parameter for defining the map featuretype, and/or any other map feature parameters. Such map featureparameters may be used to specify map features of interest to the user,which may include, but not limited to, cities, kingdoms, realms, towns,resource cores, rooms, fields, battle grounds, landmarks, planets,stars, oceanic locations and/or any other types of virtual spacelocations. By way of non-limiting example, a given user may use the mapfeature parameters to specify that the user is interested in navigatingto level 10 cities controlled by the user.

The user type parameter may be used specify map features associated witha type of users of interest to the given user. The user type for suchspecification may include user type by a relationship with respect tothe given user. The user type by a relationship may include, but notlimited to, members of an alliance the given user belongs to, users thatare engaging in a quest, mission, campaign or other activates with thegiven user in the virtual space, users that are engaging in battles,wars, or other conflict situations against the given user in the virtualspace, users that are in cooperative relationships with the given userin the virtual space, users that are friends with the user in thevirtual space and/or real-world, and any other user type by arelationship with respect to the given user. The user type forspecification of the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode may include user type by user aspect, which may include,but not limited to, a user threshold level (e.g., users having userlevel 5 and above), a class, race, role (e.g., users assume the race ofdwarf in the virtual space), a capability (e.g., users that haveabilities to provide healings to troops), a virtual item (e.g., usersthat have acquired war chanting scroll in their inventories), a type ofresources (e.g., users that have uranium), an amount and/or type oftroops (e.g., users that have 500 elite infantrymen), and/or any otheruser aspects that may be associated with users for specification of themap feature type. By way of non-limiting examples, a given user may usethe user type parameter to specify that the map features having the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode should includethe map features associated with members of an alliance the given userbelongs to; or should include the map features associated with level 10and above users in the virtual space.

The location parameters may include a feature level parameter forspecifying the map feature type associated with the second navigationmode. The feature level parameter may be used to specify a levelassociated with the type of features of interest to user. Such a featurelevel may reflect a status of a corresponding feature in the virtualspace. By way of non-limiting example, the given user may use thelocation feature specify that the features having the map feature typeassociated with the second navigation mode should include the mapfeatures having a given level (e.g. level 10 cities controlled by thegiven user).

The location parameters may include threshold parameters for specifyingthe type of map features associated with the map. Such thresholdparameters may include a defense level threshold parameter, a sizethreshold parameter, a population threshold parameter, a resourcethreshold parameter, a production threshold parameter, a troop thresholdparameter, and/or any other threshold parameters for specifying the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode. Such thresholdparameters may specify a minimum or a maximum level of the correspondingfeature aspects associated with the map features of interest to thegiven user. For example, the defense level threshold parameter may beused by the given user to specify a minimum or maximum level of defenseassociated with map features that are of interest to the given user(e.g., defense level 10 or above cities controlled by users that are inalliance opposing to the user); the population threshold parameter maybe used by the given user to specify a minimum or maximum level of apopulation associated with map features of interest to the user (e.g.,user controlled cities have population size 12 or above); the sizethreshold parameter be used by the given user to specify a minimum ormaximum level of size of the map features of interest to the given userin the virtual space (e.g., size 6 or above cities controlled by thegiven user); the resource threshold parameter may be used to specify aminimum or maximum level of resources associated with the map featuresof interest to the given user (e.g., user controlled gold mine that haveat least 50,000 gold deposit t available for mining); the productionthreshold parameter may be used to specify a minimum or maximum level ofproduction associated with the map features of interest to the givenuser (e.g., user controlled cities that have 30 or above productionoutput per turn); a troop threshold parameter may be used to specify aminimum or maximum level of troops associated with map features ofinterest to the given user (e.g., enemy user controlled cities that haveat most 5 troops defending the cities); and/or any other examples of thethreshold parameters.

In some implementations, the navigation mode component 116 may beconfigured to facilitate users to provide the map feature type to beassociated with the second navigation mode through a user interfacesimplemented on the client computing platform 104. Such a user interfacemay include, graphical user interfaces, voice interfaces, gestureinterfaces, and/or any other type of user interfaces. For example, thenavigation mode component 116 may be configured to generate graphicaluser interface information for presentation and implementation on theclient computing platform 104. Through such graphical user interface,the given user may provide values for one or more the map featureparameters for specification of the map feature type associated with thesecond navigation mode.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example a user interface for specifying a mapfeature type for association with the navigation mode. It will bedescribed with references to FIG. 1. As illustrated, user graphicalinformation may be generated by server 102, for example via thenavigation mode component 116 for presenting a graphical user interface400 on a client computing platform 104. As shown, the user interface 400may comprise control fields for a given user to specify one or more mapfeature type 402. In this example, as shown, the map feature type may bespecified by the given user by providing values to feature typeparameters such as the a location parameter 402 a, a user type parameter402 b, a location level threshold 402 b, a defense level threshold 402 cand any other map feature parameters. As shown, the interface 400 mayinclude a control field enabling the given user to select a specifiedmap feature type 402 to be associated with the second navigation mode.In this example, as shown the user selects the first map feature typeshown in interface 400 to be associated the second navigation mode,which indicates that the user is interested in navigating to citescontrolled by members of alliance Y that has a defense level above level3. It should be understood FIG. 4 is merely illustrative and thus notintended to be limiting. In some other examples, the map featureparameters that may be included in an interface for specifying the mapfeature type for association with the second navigation mode may be moreor less than those shown in this example.

Returning to FIG. 1, in some examples, the navigation mode component 116may be configured to determine a number of map feature parametersavailable to the user for the user to specify the map feature typeassociated with the second navigation mode in the user graphicalinterface, such as the graphical user interface 400 shown in FIG. 4.Such a determination by the navigation mode component 116 may be basedon based on various user aspects, such as, but not limited to, the userlevel in the virtual space, experiences, mission completed, a number ofmonster killed, a role or a class of the user, one or more virtual itemsassociated with the user, and/or any user aspects. For example, thenavigation mode component 116 may determine that up to 2 featureparameters may be available to the user for specifying the map featuretype associated with the second navigation mode (e.g., location and usertype) in the graphical user interface when the user is at level 1-5; andup to 4 feature parameters (e.g., location and user type, size anddefense threshold) may be available to the user when the user is atlevel 5-10. In this way, as the user progresses in the virtual space,the user may be enabled to navigate to map features of interest in thesecond navigation mode with more specificity (e.g., more precisenavigation in the second navigation mode). This may incentivize userprogression in the virtual space and as well as enhance user experiencesin the virtual space.

In some implementations, the navigation mode component 116 may beconfigured to facilitate an offer of one or more feature parameters tothe user in exchange for virtual consideration in graphical userinterface, such as the graphical user interface 400 shown in FIG. 4. Forexample, the navigation mode component 116 may facilitate presentationof offers of a number of feature parameters to the user in exchange, forexample for an amount of virtual currencies (e.g., gems), real-worldmoney credits, and/or any other types of virtual consideration from theuser. As an illustration, in one example, the navigation mode component116 facilitates an offer to the user of up to 5 specific locationparameters (e.g., user, location type, size, population and defensethreshold) for specifying the map feature type associated with thesecond navigation mode in the graphical user interface for an amount ofreal world money credit (e.g. $4.99). In that example, upon the useracceptance of such an offer, the navigation mode component 116 mayeffectuate these location parameters to be presented in the graphicaluser interface as available parameters (e.g., from inactive field toactivate field) for the user to provide parameter values for theseparameters.

The field of view determination component 118 may be configured todetermine a field of view of the map for the user in response to acontrol input provided by the user indicating a direction in which thefield of view should be moved. To achieve this, the field of viewdetermination component 118 may obtain a current location on the mapwhere the present field of view is taken, a present navigation modeselected by the user, and/or any other information. The current locationon the map where present field of view is taken may be obtained from themap component 112 component. The present navigation mode selected by theuser may be obtained from the navigation mode component 116. Thedetermination of the new field of the view by the field of viewdetermination component 118 may include a determination of a newlocation where the new field of view should be taken on the map. Thedetermination of such a new location may be based on the currentlocation where the present of view is taken, the control input providedby the user, the navigation mode selected by the user and/or any otherparameters. When the first navigation is selected by the user, the fieldof view determination component 118 may determine the new location bycalculating a displacement in the virtual space based on the controlinput. Based on the calculated displacement, the relative position ofthe new location where the new field of view should be taken withrespect to the present location corresponding to the present field ofview may be determined.

When the second navigation mode is selected by the user, for determiningthe new field of view, the field of view determination component 118 mayfirst compose a query for acquiring map features that are of interest tothe user as indicated by the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode. In some examples, the field of view determinationcomponent 118 may effectuate execution of such a query via a virtualspace location database(s) employed by the system 100 (not shown in thisexample for clarity) or provided by a third entity associated with theprovider of the system 100. The query may be based on the map featuretype associated with the second navigation mode as specified by theuser, for example via a graphical user interface such as the graphicaluser interface 400 shown in FIG. 4. For instance, a SQL select query maybe composed by the field of view determination component 118 to selectmap features based on values of map feature parameters that define themap feature type associated with the second navigation mode. By way ofnon-limiting example, the following illustrates an example of such aquery

-   -   select all cities from location database where the city defense        level>defense 10 and the city occupier=a member of Alliance A,        and where the cite lies to the east of the current virtual space        location at which the view is taken        Upon receiving a result set or results a query (e.g., from the        virtual space location database), field of view determination        component 118 may be configured to parse the result set(s). The        obtained result set(s) may include locations shown as map        features having the map feature type associated with the second        navigation mode. In some examples, such locations included in        the result set(s) may be represented by coordinate information        indicating coordinates of those locations on the map shown as        the map features having the map feature type associated with the        second navigation mode. In some implementations, the field of        view determination component 118 may be configured to select a        location corresponding to a first map feature shown on the map        from the result set(s). The field of view determination        component 118 may select the first map feature because the first        map feature is closer to the current location where the present        field of view is taken in the direction indicated by the control        input than any other map features included in the result set(s),        i.e., other map features having the map feature type. By way of        non-limiting example, the above described query may return 5        such cities in a result set, and field of view determination        component 118 may select one city from these 5 cities that is        closest to the current location where the present field of view        is taken. In some implementations, such a selection by the field        of view determination component 118 may be based on coordinate        information of the current location where the present field of        view is taken and coordinate information of the locations        included in the result set(s).

As an illustration, FIG. 5 depicts one example of determining a newlocation on the map where the present field of view should move to inresponse to a control input provided by the user in the secondnavigation mode. It will be described with references to FIG. 1. Asshown in this example, the server 102 may make determination 504 basedon information 502. As shown, the information 502 may includeinformation indicating a direction of a control input provided by theuser; information indicating a current location where the present fieldof view is taken; information indicating a navigation mode selected bythe user; information indicating map feature type associated with thesecond navigation mode as specified by the user if the second navigationmode is selected. As illustrated in this example, the determination 504may be made based on the information 502 such that the new location forthe new field of view may be the location that is closest to the currentlocation where the present of view is taken in accordance with theinformation 502. In this example, as shown, the selected location is thelevel 3 city that is closest to the current location wherein the presentfield of view (e.g., the 1^(st) location) to the south of the currentlocation.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of jumping the field of view while thesecond navigation mode is selected. It will be described with referencesto FIGS. 1-2 and 5. As shown, in response to the determination of a newlocation for the new field of view as described in FIG. 5, the systemshown in FIG. 1 may implement the new field of view 206 on the clientcomputing platform 104 such that the present field of view 206 jumpsfrom e.g., the 1^(st) location as shown in this example to the newlocation e.g., the second location as determined by determination 504shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that between the first and secondlocation on the map, there is another triangle 202 representing a citycontrolled by an alliance member Y on the map. However, this city is notselected for navigation in the second navigation mode because this citydoes not satisfy the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode (i.e. the level of this city is less than level three asindicated by its size shown on the map). In this manner, the user may bepresented the new location in the field of view 206 while the secondnavigation mode is selected as soon as the user provides a control inputindicating a direction in which the field of view should be moved.

Returning to FIG. 1, in some implementations, the field of viewdetermination component 118 may be configured to obtain a referencelocation from which the navigation of the map in the second navigationmode may be initiated. By default, such as reference location may be thecurrent location of the present field of view as described in FIG. 6. Inthose implementations, the field of view determination component 118 mayobtain a value for the reference location (e.g., as specified by theuser through map setting configurations enabled by a map settinginterface) indicating where the navigation of the map should start inthe second navigation mode. For example, the reference location obtainedby the field of view determination component 118 include a home base ofthe user; and, at a first given time, the user may navigate eastly fromthe home base to a first city controlled by the user; and at a secondgiven time, while the current view presenting the first city on the mapto the user, the user may navigate southerly from the home base to asecond city controlled by the user such that the second city may bepresented to the user in the present field of view.

In some exemplary implementations, the field of view determinationcomponent 118 may be configured to determine a level of accuracy of thenew location to be presented in the present field of view in the secondnavigation mode. For example, a level 1 accuracy determined by the fieldof view determination component 118 may be such that 50% of time thepresent field of view determined by the present field of viewdetermination component 118 while in the second navigation mode may bewithin a first degree of inaccuracy; a level 2 of accuracy may be suchthat the 40% of time the present field of view determination component118 may be in accurate within a second degree of inaccuracy less thanthe first degree of inaccuracy; a level 3 of accuracy may be such thatthe 30% of time the present field of view determination component 118may be in accurate within a 3^(rd) degree inaccuracy less than the firstdegree or second degree of inaccuracy and so on.

In some exemplary implementations, the field of view determinationcomponent 118 may be configured to exhaust an amount of resource in auser's inventory for determination of present field of view in thesecond navigation mode. For example, it may be predetermined by theprovider, administrator, moderator, and/or any other entities related tothe online game such that the determination of the present field of viewin the second navigation mode by the field of view determinationcomponent 118 may exhaust an amount of gold, coal, lumber, stone and/orany other types of resources in the user's inventory. That is, in thoseexemplary implementations, it may be predetermined that navigating themap in the second navigation mode will cost resources to the user.

The server 102, client computing platforms 104, and/or externalresources 106 may be operatively linked via one or more electroniccommunication links. For example, such electronic communication linksmay be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internetand/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intendedto be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includesimplementations in which servers 102, client computing platforms 104,and/or external resources 106 may be operatively linked via some othercommunication media.

A given client computing platform 104 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program components. The computer programcomponents may be configured to enable an expert or user associated withthe given client computing platform 104 to interface with system 100and/or external resources 106, and/or provide other functionalityattributed herein to client computing platforms 104. By way ofnon-limiting example, the given client computing platform 104 mayinclude one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheldcomputer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gamingconsole, and/or other computing platforms.

The external resources 106 may include sources of information, hostsand/or providers of virtual environments outside of system 100, externalentities participating with system 100, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 106 may be provided by resources included in system100.

The server 102 may include electronic storage 110, one or moreprocessors 108, and/or other components. The server 102 may includecommunication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information witha network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server 102in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. The server 102 may include aplurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operatingtogether to provide the functionality attributed herein to server 102.For example, server 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computingplatforms operating together as server 102.

Electronic storage 110 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 110 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server 102and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server 102via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or adrive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 110 may include oneor more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.),magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic harddrive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g.,EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.),and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronicstorage 110 may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g.,cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storageresources). Electronic storage 110 may store software algorithms,information determined by processor 108, information received fromserver 102, information received from client computing platforms 104,and/or other information that enables server 102 to function asdescribed herein.

Processor(s) 108 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server 102. As such, processor 108 may include one ormore of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuitdesigned to process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor 108 is shown in FIG. 1 as asingle entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor 108 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor 108 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor 108 may beconfigured to execute components 112, 114, 116, 118. Processor 108 maybe configured to execute components 112, 114, 116, 118 by software;hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/orfirmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processingcapabilities on processor 108.

It should be appreciated that although components 112, 114, 116, 118 areillustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which processor 108 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of components 112, 114, 116, 118 may belocated remotely from the other components. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different components 112, 114, 116, 118described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to belimiting, as any of components 112, 114, 116, 118 may provide more orless functionality than is described. For example, one or more ofcomponents 112, 114, 116, 118 may be eliminated, and some or all of itsfunctionality may be provided by other ones of components 112, 114, 116,118. As another example, processor 108 may be configured to execute oneor more additional components that may perform some or all of thefunctionality attributed below to one of components 112, 114, 116, 118.

FIG. 7 illustrates one exemplary method 700 for facilitating navigationof a map of a virtual space in accordance with the disclosure. Theoperations of method 700 presented below are intended to beillustrative. In some embodiments, method 700 may be accomplished withone or more additional operations not described, and/or without one ormore of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which theoperations of method 700 are illustrated in FIG. 7 and described belowis not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method 700 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 700 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 700.

At an operation 702, interaction of a user with a map of a virtual spacemay be facilitated. In some implementations, operation 702 may beperformed by a space component the same as or similar to space component112 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein). The map may show mapfeatures representing locations of the virtual space in terms of theirrespective forms, shapes, sizes, surrounding conditions, topography,spatial relationships, and/or other aspects associated with the mapfeatures. In some examples, the map may show 2D or 3D concepts of suchmap features using Cartesian coordinate system. The user interactionwith the map as facilitated in operation 702 may include enablingzooming in or out of portions of the map, viewing information regardingfeatures shown on the map, moving field of view of the map for viewingdifferent portions of the map (e.g., navigate the map), changing anorientation of the map, to change a viewing perspective of the map(e.g., bird's eye view or side view), searching for features on the map,to select feature density shown on the map, selecting 2D or 3D viewingof the map, initiating virtual space actions to on the features shown onthe map, interacting with other users in the virtual space on throughthe map, and/or any other user interactions with the map. In someimplementations, operation 702 may be performed by a map component thesame as or similar to map component 112 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein).

At an operation 704, a control input provided by the user indicating adirection in which a present field of view of the map should be movedmay be received. In some implementations, operation 704 may be performedby a direction control component the same as or similar to directioncontrol component 114 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At operation 706, a navigation mode selected by the user may beobtained. The navigation mode obtained in operation 706 may correspondto a manner of map navigating, e.g., changing the field of view of themap for presentation to the user. The obtained navigation mode obtainedmay include a first navigation mode. In the first navigation mode, themap may be navigated incrementally in response to directions indicatedby the control inputs provide by the user. The obtained navigation modemay include a second navigation mode. The second map navigation mode maybe associated with a type of map features on which the map navigation inthe second navigation mode may be based. In the second navigation mode,the field of view of the map may be “jumped” from the present field ofview to a new field of view instantly or near-instantly. A given type ofmap features associated with the second navigation mode may be definedor specified by one or more map feature parameters, which may include,but not limited to, a location level threshold parameter, a user typeparameter, a feature level threshold, a defense level thresholdparameter, a size threshold parameter, a population threshold parameter,a resource threshold parameter for defining the map feature type, and/orany other map feature parameters. The location parameter may be used tospecify map features corresponding to a location type of interest to theuser, which may include, but not limited to, cities, kingdoms, realms,towns, resource cores, rooms, fields, battle grounds, landmarks,planets, stars, oceanic locations and/or any other types of virtualspace locations. In some implementations, operation 706 may be performedby a navigation mode component the same as or similar to user componentnavigation mode component 116 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 708, a determination whether the navigation modeobtained in operation 706 may be made. In cases where the navigationmode obtained in operation 708 is the second navigation mode, the methodproceeds to operation 710; and in cases where the navigation modeobtained in operation 708 is not the second navigation mode, the methodproceeds to operation 712. In some implementations, operation 708 may beperformed by a navigation mode component the same as or similar tonavigation mode component 116 (shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 710, a field of view of the map may be determined in thesecond navigation mode for presentation to the user such that the fieldof view jumps from the present field of view to the new field of view.The determination made in operation 710 may be based on the currentlocation where the present field of view is taken, the control inputprovided by the user in operation 704, the map feature type associatedwith the second navigation mode and/or any other parameters. Thedetermination made in operation 710 may select a first map featurebecause the first map feature is closer to the current location wherethe present field of view is taken in the direction indicated by thecontrol input than any other map features having the map feature typeassociated with the second navigation mode. In some implementations,operation 710 may be performed by field of view determination componentthe same as or similar to field of view determination component 118(shown in FIG. 1 and described herein).

At an operation 712, a field of view of the map may be determined in thefirst navigation mode for presentation to the user such that the fieldof view s from the present field of view to the new field of view. Incases where the navigation mode obtained in operation 708 is the firstnavigation mode, the method proceeds to operation 714; and in caseswhere the navigation mode obtained in operation 708 is not the secondnavigation mode, the method proceeds end. In some implementations,operation 712 may be performed by a navigation mode component the sameas or similar to navigation mode component 116 (shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed herein).

At an operation 714, a field of view of the map may be determined in thesecond navigation mode for presentation to the user such that the fieldof view scrolls from the present field of view to the new field of view.In the first navigation mode, the map may be navigated incrementally,i.e., scrolled in response to directions indicated by the control inputsprovide by the user in operation 708. In some implementations, operation714 may be performed by field of view determination component the sameas or similar to field of view determination component 118 (shown inFIG. 1 and described herein).

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating map navigation of anonline game, the system comprising one or more processors configured bycomputer readable instructions to: facilitate interaction of a user witha map of a virtual space having a geography by generating a view of themap for presentation to the user, the view presented to the userincluding a portion of the map that falls within a field of view;receive control inputs provided by the user indicating a direction inwhich the field of view of the map should be moved; obtain selectionand/or entry of a navigation mode by the user for implementation as apresent navigation mode; and determine a present field of view of themap for the user such that while the selected navigation mode is asecond navigation mode, in response to reception of a control input fromthe user indicating the field of view of the map should be moved in afirst direction, the field of view jumps from the present field of viewto a new field of view that encompasses a first map feature of a mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode because thefirst map feature is closer to the present field of view in the firstdirection than any other map feature of the first map feature type,wherein map features represent features present at geographic locationsin the virtual space corresponding to positions of the map features inthe map, and wherein the features represented by the map features areobservable in the virtual space independent from the map.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode is defined by one or more map feature parameters, theone or more map feature parameters including a location level thresholdparameter, a user type parameter, a defense level threshold parameter, asize threshold parameter, a population threshold parameter, and/or aresource threshold parameter for defining the map feature type.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured by the computer readable instructions such that obtaining thenavigation mode includes facilitating the user to specify the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode through agraphical user interface implemented on a client computing platformassociated with the user by providing values for the map featureparameters.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein facilitating the user tospecify the first map feature type through the graphical user interfaceincludes determining a number of map feature parameters available to theuser for the user to specify the map feature type associated with thesecond navigation mode in the graphical user interface.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the determination of a number of map feature parameterspresented to the user in the user graphical user interface forspecifying the map feature type associated with the second navigationmode is based on a level, a class, a role of the user within the virtualspace, and/or one or more virtual items associated with the user.
 6. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein facilitating the user to specify the firstmap feature type through the graphical user interface further includespresenting an offer of one or more map feature parameters for purchaseby the user in the graphical user interface, wherein the determinationof the number of map feature parameters presented to the user in theuser graphical user interface for specifying the first map feature typeis based on a number of map feature parameters purchased by the user. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are furtherconfigured by the computer readable instructions such that the receivedcontrol inputs include gesture inputs provided by the user on a touchsensitive surface coupled to or included in a client computing platformassociated with the user.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore processors are further configured by the computer readableinstructions such that obtaining the selection and/or entry of thenavigation mode by the user is based on a level, a class, a role of theuser within the virtual space, and/or one or more virtual itemsassociated with the user.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one ormore processors are further configured by computer readable instructionssuch that the determination of the present field of view while theselected navigation mode is the second navigation mode exhausts anamount of resources associated with the user in the online game.
 10. Amethod for facilitating map navigation of an online game, the methodbeing implemented in one or more physical processors configured bycomputer readable instructions, the method comprising: facilitatinginteraction of a user with a map of a virtual space having a geographyby generating a view of the map for presentation to the user, the viewpresented to the user including a portion of the map that falls within afield of view; receiving control inputs provided by the user indicatinga direction in which the field of view of the map should be moved;obtaining selection and/or entry of a navigation mode by the user forimplementation as a present navigation mode; and determining a presentfield of view of the map for the user, such that while the selectednavigation mode is a second navigation mode, in response to reception ofa control input from the user indicating the field of view of the mapshould be moved in a first direction, the field of view jumps from thepresent field of view to a new field of view that encompasses a firstmap feature of a map feature type associated with the second navigationmode because the first map feature is closer to the present field ofview in the first direction than any other map feature of the first mapfeature type, wherein map features represent features present atgeographic locations in the virtual space corresponding to positions ofthe map features in the map, and wherein the features represented by themap features are observable in the virtual space independent from themap.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the map feature type associatedwith the second navigation mode is defined by one or more map featureparameters, the one or more map feature parameters including a locationlevel threshold parameter, a user type parameter, a defense levelthreshold parameter, a size threshold parameter, a population thresholdparameter, and/or a resource threshold parameter for defining the mapfeature type.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein obtaining thenavigation mode includes facilitating the user to specify the mapfeature type associated with the second navigation mode through agraphical user interface implemented on a client computing platformassociated with the user by providing values for the map featureparameters.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein facilitating the user tospecify the first map feature type through the graphical user interfaceincludes determining a number of map feature parameters available to theuser for the user to specify the map feature type associated with thesecond navigation mode in the graphical user interface.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the determination of a number of map featureparameters presented to the user in the user graphical user interfacefor specifying the map feature type associated with the secondnavigation mode is based on a level, a class, a role of the user withinthe virtual space, and/or one or more virtual items associated with theuser.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein facilitating the user tospecify the first map feature type through the graphical user interfacefurther includes presenting an offer of one or more map featureparameters for purchase by the user in the graphical user interface,wherein the determination of the number of map feature parameterspresented to the user in the user graphical user interface forspecifying the first map feature type is based on a number of mapfeature parameters purchased by the user.
 16. The method of claim 10,wherein the received control inputs include gesture inputs provided bythe user on a touch sensitive surface coupled to or included in a clientcomputing platform associated with the user.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein obtaining the selection and/or entry of the navigation mode bythe user is based on a level, a class, a role of the user within thevirtual space, and/or one or more virtual items associated with theuser.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the determination of thepresent field of view while the selected navigation mode is the secondnavigation mode exhausts an amount of resources associated with the userin the online game.